Later Bekala came to me when we were alone. “No-el, my we talk?”

I looked and smiled, she had been giving me a lot of sidelong looks ever since she had witness my coupling with Haley. “You know that you need not ask. I am but a male and you are my Matira. I can refuse you almost nothing.”

“No-el, I talked to Hay-lee and she says that you have accepted her as your true wife, just as Char-lee is. She said that where you come from the male is often the Master and that in a good marriage both the male and female serve and are property of the other equally. Is this so?”

I thought about it and then nodded. “Yes we are equal but both rule in different areas. Generally out in public the male rules but in the home the female usually rules. I think that here, for Haley, Charlie and I it will be different. They will rule out in public but at least at home I will b e more equal. Does this trouble you? I will try hard Bekala to be good for you and not shock you too badly.”

“No-el, what you were doing with Hay-lee in the bathroom.” She blushed and with her clear white skin it was quite a production. “No-el someday if I am worthy will you do that with me. Will you be MY Master as you are Hay-lee’s and I see now that you are also Char-lee’s? In the home I will serve you faithfully. I never imagined such was even possible with a male.”

I pulled her to me, “Bekala, right now we NEED you to help me learn to act correctly so we can flourish. When the day comes that I have mastered myself and am as I need to be, come to me and I will make you mine.” I kissed her hard and possessively and she melted into my arms.

We needed to go out. Bekala told us that I needed to be seen and to be seen as unlike the stories told of the wildness of outside males. Many feared me and the only way to ease that was to let them see that I wasn’t an ogre.

Bekala showed us how to call a disc, it was easy you stood at the door and imagined one there for a moment. When it arrived you simply got on it and mentally told it where you wished it to take you or what you desired to see. The food worked the same way only for now we didn’t know what was available. Bekala was working on that. Each meal was a bit of a buffet and we tasted a lot of things. There was something like a steak that I liked a lot.

They dressed me in my finest court jester costume and we went to the park. Once there we left the disc transporter and walked out into the park. They were courteous but soon we had a bit of a crowd watching us. Bekala saw someone that she knew and called for them to join us.

When she came she was introduced first to Charlie, then to Haley and finally to me. Her name was Kantola and her male was introduced as Jorker. It turned out that this was a good name for him because he really was quite a joker. It was custom when meeting a new female for the male to allow himself to be handled. While Charlie and Haley were feeling up Jorker Kantola had her hand in my pants. When she was pleased that she had met me I asked, “May I offer you a greeting from my homeland Kantola?”

She looked at me and smiled, “I would be pleased to receive your greeting No-el.”

I held out my hand to her and when she placed hers in mine I bowed over it and kissed it gently on both the back and the palm before rising. I looked and she was flushed. Concerned I said, “If I have offended it was not my intention to do so milady!”

“Oh but kind sir you have not offended I was just surprised by so sweet and gentle a greeting from one as physically large and impressive as yourself. You kindness has rather taken my breath away.”

I smiled, “to me you are a very large and intimidating woman Kantola but I also see in you a kindness and gentleness that is not at all surprising to me. Where I come from the outside is not the judge of a person. Rather it is what dwells within that counts. We have an expression… “You can’t judge a book by its cover. I hope that you will see the gentle and not the giant in me.”

She was even more flushed now. “You instruct me with your wisdom. I see indeed that you are truly a gentle and very sweet male.” She nodded to me and then immediately went into caucus with first Bekala and then Bekala and Charlie.

Haley wandered over, “Damn dude!” She offered in English. I think you have swept her off her feet. If I understand it, she is now offering Charlie a king’s ransom for a visit to your bed!!! That hand kissing thing, remember it Bekala says that it is the most elegant thing that she has ever seem a male do! Even she has the hots for you like you wouldn’t believe right now!” Grinning she added, “By the way I think my little performance with you this morning will make your living with her a lot easier. She wants the same so badly she can’t stand it.” She giggled, “the little dude, don’t let his small stature fool you he is no midget in his pants! He isn’t hung like you but he had NOTHING to be ashamed of either!”

Bekala came and joined us. She was a bit flushed herself. “No-el you have done far in excess what we could have possibly hoped for. My friend is so enamored with you that she is trying to purchases a short term license for your services with her as your Manisha. Failing in that, she has offered a ridiculous sum for a single visit to you. Charlie says that she will leave it up to you this time.”

“How good a friend is she to you Bekala?”

“She is a dear friend but even more important is that she is a very well known, wise and influential person here.”

I nodded and went to Charlie, “You leave it up to me?” She nodded and I whispered into her ear. She grinned and nodded and I went to Kantola.

I stood before her. We were almost eye to eye. “My wife has left the decision up to me. Is that ok with you? I know that in your culture such is decided by the women but in ours the man has a say also.”

She looked over to Bekala who shrugged and nodded. “It is rather odd but if it is the decision of your Mashia then it is as she wishes. Do we need to discuss price or number of visits first in your estimation?”

I looked at her and slowly sank to my knees and kissed her feet. Still kneeling I looked up to her and said softly, “Your interest in me is overwhelmingly pleasing to me.” I motioned her to bend near to me and whispered, “If you wish my company I am honored and all you need do is arrange a time with my wife and I will be pleased to see you. The can be no price for one such as you it is my pleasure to serve you. All I ask is that you keep my decision in the family and not make it public.”

Her eyes widened, “Are you SERIOUS? I will gladly pay…”

“I will gladly serve you and pay is meaningless to me. I only ask one thing of you; will you be my friend? I need friends more than I need anything else. We are alone here with no family and no friends. We are strangers and not familiar with your ways totally. When we come from friends are almost as important as family and here we are destitute! None of us are yet 30 and we are going to need guidance. Bekala says that you are wise.”

She pulled me up and into her arms. There were tears in her eyes as she exclaimed, “You poor children!! None of you are hardly old enough to be out of your Mothers house and we are swarming all over you wanting you to do things. No wonder you are all so different from the outsiders that we have had in the past! You are just children…” She kissed me but this time it was an almost motherly kiss. “I would love to be your friend No-el.” With her arm around my waist she led me back to Charlie. “Your man child is a remarkable male. Is what he proposed your wish also… I will be your friend whether he takes my to his nest or not.”

Charlie looked at Bekala and Haley. Bekala nodded and Charlie smiled, “We accept your friendship and also welcome you to our nest as family. Did I say that right? We are still learning and while the stuff that was put in at the learning center is there the context and totality of it has not yet filled out.”

Kantola smiled, “Yes woman child of my heart you said it perfectly. I am honored and thank you for this unexpected honor.” She nodded at Bekala, “She has always been as a daughter to me. She was my daughter’s inseparable friend for many years and has slept in my nest times uncountable. When I come may I bring Jorker with me as well? He is as a child to me and is spoiled. He is as excited as I and would wish to offer you his attentions as you have so kindly offered No-el’s to me.”

Charlie smiled and accepted her offer and they set it up for tomorrow night. When Kantola had said that Bekala was her daughter’s inseparable friend what she was saying was that basically they were lovers. From the knowledge implanted I gathered that young women, under that age of 50 or so, generally have female lovers because there is NO real hope of them gaining even minimal access to a male. When Kantola had said that Bekala had slept in her nest you can bet that sleep was ALL she did even if Jorker had been present and interested. Basically women were considered children until they were 50 and then young women; like teenagers until they were about 75 to a 100. One thing that I had thought to head off by bringing Kantola basically into the family was a claim that Charlie and Haley were just children and not old enough to hold claim to a male of such potential importance as I might be if I could knock a few ladies up real quick. If I was going to be someone’s property it would be Charlie and I would help see to that.

When we moved on, Kantola put a golden broach on my blouse. “This will protect you from overly aggressive approach little ones. It means that for the moment you are spoken for and under my protection and through me, the council of elders.” She kissed me again and this time it was NOT motherly!” While women were considered kids until age 50 or over, a male was full grown at 20.

As she and her little group moved off into the distance Bekala came to me and Charlie. “No-el, you have blessed us this day. You are wise beyond your years and you have silenced, before it could even be said, those that would brand you a barbarian and your wives as children without rights. By tonight every woman in Lantis will know that you are a gentle giant and as sweet as fresh drawn honey. None will fear you and your size will be an attraction rather than a fearful strangeness. Do the males of your race often kiss the hands of newly met women as you did?”

I grinned, “It was VERY popular a hundred years ago but now only a few romantics such as myself practice it with special women of notable rank or position.”

Haley laughed, “Don’t let him fool you Bekala. He is just a male slut puppy and has never met a woman that he didn’t lust for.”

Bekala nodded, “I thought as much but was unsure. We need to perhaps cleanse him and relieve him more often?”